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Reparations Office Bill passed

The Office for Reparations Bill was passed in Parliament with a majority of 16 votes yesterday.

It received 59 votes in favour and 43 votes against following a division called by the Joint Opposition. The UNP, SLFP members in the Government and TNA voted in favour of the Bill. The JVP MPs were absent.

The Joint Opposition together with the ‘SLFP Group of 15’ voted against.

The Bill was moved for the debate by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapone moved further amendments to the Bill at the end of the debate. The definition of “aggrieved persons” in the Bill was amended in conformity with the Supreme Court determination.

The Office for Reparations will be the second official mechanism to be set up to deal with missing persons issue and post-war allegations.

The Rehabilitation of Persons, Properties and Industries Authority Act, No. 29 of 1987 will be repealed by the new Bill.

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